Binder.



APPLICATION FILED 1m29. i915.

atented Sept. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. G. JONES. BINDER. APPucATxoN mio 1m29. 1915.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 WILLIAM GIFFORD JONES, OF

ns PAT OAK PARK,

ILLINOIS., AssIGNon To .acoonNTInG DEVICES CQMPANY, F EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, AzCOBPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BINDER.'

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

Application mea January 2e, 1915. serial No. 4,9e1.

i To all whom it may concern lJONES, a citizen of the proved loose-leaf binder of simple and duing-clips rable construction, possessing large expansion caplacity.

Numerous other important tained, as will be understood from the detailed description hereinafter given.

he invention is illustrated in 1ts p referred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents view of a loose-leaf accordance with this section of the binder objects are ata broken perspective ledger constructed in invention; Fig. 2, a frame, taken as indicated atkline 2, Fig. l; Figf, a section taken as'indicated at line 3 ofgFig. 2 and showing one of the clamping-members employed; Fig. 3a, a section taken as ind1cated at line 3g of Fig. 3; Fig. 4, a section taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 2, showing in section the clamping-member depicted in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, an enlarged broken section, taken asvindicated at line 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, an enlarged broken sectional view of the flexible back employed; Fig. 7, a broken sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the fly-leaves or end-sheets employed; Fig. 8, a plan View, or development, of the flexible back employed; Fig. 9, a view showing both sides of a binding-clip used in connection with the flexible back; Fig. 10, a broken View showing a detail ofthe fly-leaf which is shown in section in Fig. 7; Fig. l1, a broken, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken as'indicated at line ll of Fig. 8, showing the manner in which the bindare secured to the edge-portion of the flexible back; Fig. 12, a view of one of the nutsor followers employed; Fig. 13,21 View of one of the guides for the flexible leaf-engaging connections which connect the two clamping-members; Fig. 14, a sectional viewshowing also one of the end-plugs forming a detail of the hollow clampingbar employed; and Fig. 15, a view showing v by screws 9.

in plan and in inner elevation "one of the links of the flexible connections employed.

In the embodiment shown, A, A. clamping-members, with which are pivotally connected cover-sections A3; B, B flexible connections between the clamping-members, sald flexible connections serving also as leafengaging members, or link-constituted binding-posts; C, a flexibleback for the binder; and D, D', fly-sheets of an imperishable natuewith-which the binder is desirably prov1 e The clamping-members A, A and the cover-sections A2 may be of any desired construction. It is desirable, however, that, where a high expansion binder is required, the clamping-members should both be hollow. ln the preferred form, which is shown, each clamping-member is hollow, and 1s formed by bending a strip of sheet metal into approximately hollow rectangular,

forni, in such manner as to bring the edges of the strip into spaced relation along the inner side of the hollow clamping-member, thus leaving a longitudinal slot .2 at the inner side of said clamping-member. ln the forming operation, the metal is curved or folded upon itself to form a longitudinal eye 3 at the inner or hinge-edge; and sections of the longitudinal eye are cut away, as indicated at the points 4, to afford spaces for projecting eye-portions 5, with which the hinge-members 6 of the cover-sections are equipped. rl`he eye-portions are connected by a pintle 7, and thus a piano-hinge effect etween ,the cover-section and clamping member is obtained.

An end-plug 8 is provided in each end of each hollow clamping-member, the end-plug having a shank 8a extend-ing into the hollow member and a against' the end-edge metal piece.

of the formed sheet- .lllach end-plug is provided lwith a bearing 8 for the reduced ends of the screw-rods employed. The plugs are secured in the ends of the tubular members ln each hollow clamping-member is journaled a right-and-left threaded screw-rod 10, whose reduced` extremities are received in the bearings 8, and thus the screw-rods are confined against longitudinal movement. At one end of the binder-frame, the plugs 8 are provided with perforations or sockets ,l1 adapted to receive a key, or the socketrepresent flange 8b which abuts l i 15, and at portion of a crank (not shown) which may be employed to rotate the screw-rod. The adjacent end of the screw-rod' is square to receive the key or small crank. A short distance from the end of each hollow clamping-member there is secured a guide-member or bridge-piece 12, which extends across the slot 2 anol is provided withya curved groove or guide surface 12a, about which the link-constituted flexible post, or flexible connection between the clamping-members, passes. The bridge-piece 0r guide 12 4may be secured in place by screws 13.

Fach right-and-left threaded screw-rod 10 is equipped with a pair of nuts, threaded sleeves, or followers 1l, each of which has a rearwardly-extending projection ll to which the adjacent extremity of the appropriate flexible connection is joined. The hollow clamping-members serve as guides within which the nuts can move, and prevent the nuts from rotating with the screwrods. ln Fig. 12,'1lb represents the threaded bore of the nut, IAand 1l represents the perforation in the projection 14,,- which receives the reduced shank with which the end-link ofthe chain is provided, as shown in Fig. 4.

The preferred arrangement is shown in Fig. 2, from which it appears that the flexible member i3 has its end-portions passed over two transverselyopposite bearings 12 and extending within the hollow clampingmembers A and A', the extremities being connected with nuts which are transversely opposite to each other and which are adapted to move in either direction, according .to the direction of rotation of the screw-rods; and it appears thatthe flexible member B is similarly arranged at the opposite end of the binder-frame and similarly connected with the other nuts with whichthe screwrods are equipped. f

It will be understood from the foregoing that either' screw-rod may be rotated independently of 4the other, to cause the flexible connections to be taken up or paid out, according to desire.

Flach flexible connection B, B is preferably composed of a single series of links 15 of circular cross section, the links being close-connected, so as to form a practically continuous surface so that the portions between the clamping-members will serve as leaf-engaging members or binding-posts. Thus, each link 15 (see Fig. 15) may be described as a very short rod-form member having at one end a web-form hinge-portion the other end projecting hingeears 15b. The web-form pivot-portion 15a is formedby milling or cutting away the piece, and leaving curved shoulders 15C, with which the curved surfaces of the ears 15b correspond. When the. links are connected, by pintles 15d, the links are free to posed of swing with relation to each other in one direction only, for it will be understood that they are held against lateral movement by the ears 15b embracing the webs 15a, and are held against swinging beyond the straight line, as shown in Fig. 2, by shoulders 15e. It will be noted that the shoulders 15e are staggered with relation to the shoulders 15C, this feature being of import ance to insure freedom of movement of the leaves, whose perforations engage the flexibleI posts. lt will be noted, also, 2 and 15, that in addition to having the ears 15b project beyond the shoulders 15, thus giving the overlap or offsetshouldei' effect mentioned, the shoulders 15C are inclined or at an angle to the axes links. Thus the shoulders 15e may be de scribed as undercut, and the effect is to prevent the possibility of the leaves entering between the joints by shifting longitudinally of the clamping members, while the staggering of the shoulders 15c with reference to the shoulders 15'3 prevents the leaves from entering the joints when moved along the chain-posts.

The flexible back C is preferably coman outer piece of leather 1G and an inner lining 17, which may be of thin leather; and a comparatively narrow strip of cardboard, or the like, 18, interposed between the members mentioned (see Fig. (l). The lateral edges of the flexible back (see Fig. S) are provided with slots 19, which extend in opposite directions from the central strip 18 and are of suflicient width to embrace the flexible posts in the manner shown lin Fig. 5. tions of the flexible back are disposed parallel with each other and lie adjacent the inner surfaces of the cover-sections A2, as shown in Fig. 5. The edge-portions are equipped with U-shaped binding-clips 20 (Figs. 8 and 11), through which the slots 19 are extended. The clips 2() are provided with recesses or eyelets 21; and detachable continuous clips 22 are provided. The clips 22 are U-shaped strips, provided in one member, or ply, with indentations 22, and in the other ply or member with indentations 22b (Fig. 9). rIhe indentations 22a engage alternate eyelets 21, and the indentations 22b engage the remaining alternate eyelets 21, it being understood that the clip 22 is of springy metal so that it can be applied, or detached, at will.

Each ly-sheet D, D preferably comprises a sheet of heavy, durable paper 23, which may be given any desired appearance, and a metal strip 24 connected to the rear edge o the sheet 23 by a linen strip 25 which is folded upon itself and serves to connect the parts in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 10, thus aHording a hinge at 2G. The thin metal strip 24: and the folded'linen strip 25 are from Figs.

of the T he lateral por-I over one inch to ab unnecessary to use either intermediate telell1 scopic posts connecting the clamping-members, or intermediate flexible connections. It will be understood that whenone screwrod is being operated, the other screw-rod simply serves to hold the opposite ends of the flexible connections.

It is` desirable to employ two screw-rods, thereby rendering it possible to pay out the flexible connections to a greater extent. In this way, it is feasible, in a binder having a height of approximately ten inches, to secure a range of expansion from a little out six inches. Thus, a single binder of the improved construction may replace three` binders having a more limited range of expansion, between different points. It will thus be understood that the improved binder is of great advantage to the user, both from the stand-point of economy and from the stand-point of avoiding substitution of a binder of larger capacity, as increased ledger capacity is required.

From'th'e standpoint of the manufacturer, a vast uced cost of construction; second, because it is possible to reduce the stock to be carried to approximately,one-third; third, because it is easier to carry completed parts, and assemble them, according to necessity;

and fourth, because a large saving can be effected in the use of individual boxes for the ledgers, freight boxes for the individual boxes, and freightage, owing to the completely collapsed condition in which the binder can be shipped.

From the standpoint of the dealer, economy results, because it is possible to carry a smaller stock, and because less shelf-room is required for the ledgers, not to mention the increased salability from the fact that a greater range of expans1on is secured.

Since the embodiment of my invention in a commercially practicable loose-leaf ledger, I have learned, by investigation, that others have proposed the use of flexible connections attached to nuts actuated by screw-rods disposedin hollow clamping-members; but', so far as I am aware, no commercially successful device operating on this principle has been placed upon the market.

economy results: first, because of reing-posts passing about Among the features which render my invention highly practicable may be mentioned: lst, ing rods l() and the portions of the ilexible posts B as shown in Fig. 5; 2nd, the use of clamping-members (A, A) of cross-section elongated in planes perpendicular to the leafengaging portions of the flexible bindingposts, so as to occupy the same planes as the cover-sections, when closed; 3rd, the disposition of the actuating rods between the oused or inturned portions of the bindingpostsl and the cover-section hinges, thus attaining a maximum length and minimum thicknessof binder; 4th, the use of a flexible back having inturned marginal portions slotted to embrace the binding posts, thus giving finish to the binder and the rear ends of the leaves; 5th, improved flexible posts consisting series of links of such form as to afford a circular cross-section; 6th, the improved form of clamping-member employed, and thel resultant improved. hinge-connection; and 7th, the general mode of disposing and assembling the parts, which gives maximum capacity, minimum thickness, and a-parallel cover effect.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, b'ut the appended claims should be constriled as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

arious embodiments may be given to the invention, the principle of which has been explainedin connection with the preferred embodiment.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a binder, the combination of apair of cover-sections, a pair of hollow clampingmembers having their inner sides adapted to clamp the leaves and said members being provided near their rear edges with lateral openings and bearings thereat for flexible posts, right-and-left threaded screw-rods disposed within said clamping-members near the front edges thereof,` flexible bindsaid bearings and having their end-portions housed within said clamping-members back of said screwrods, and nuts on said screw-rods connected with the extremities of saidflexible bindingp'osts.

protecting the use of the disposition of the actuat parallel therewith in thethe closed cover-sections,

of a single 2. In a binder, the combination of a pair i ings and connecting theV clamping-members rearward extensions of said openings in said clampingand having end-portions extending into the clamping-members, nuts within the clampingmembers and attached to the ends of the flexible binding-posts, and actuating screwrods for the nuts journaled in said clamping-members and cover-sections and the housed portions of the binding-posts.

3y. In a binder, the combination of apair of hollow clamping-members of elongated cross-section and provided at their 'inner sides near their rear edges with longitudinal slots, bearings extending across said slots,

flexible binding-posts connecting the clamp' between the cover-sections and clampingmembers, nuts movable longitudinally within the clamping-members, actuating screw rods journaled in the clampingmembers and disposedv in the rear of said hinge-connec tions, flexible binding-posts having portions extending through lateral openings into said clamping-members and disposed in the rear of said actuating srew-rods and attached to nuts, and bearings at said members about which said flexible posts pass.

5. In a binder, the combination of hollow l,clamping-members equipped at their inner sides with bearings arranged in oppositelydisposed pairs, chain binding-posts each composed of a single'series of close-jointed links of substantially circular cross-section and extending about said bearings and into the clamping-members, and take-up mechanisms in said clamping-members to which the extremities of said chains are attached.

6. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping-members, chain binding-posts extending into one of the clamping-members and composed of a single series of closejointed rod-form links having complemental pivot-portions and a Ording a practically continuous surface, L d take-up mechanism in said clamping-m mber to which. the ex tremities of said chains are attached.

7. In a binder, the combination with flexible posts, a pair of nuts connected with the extremities of said flexible posts, and a right-and-left threaded screw-rod engaging said nuts, of a clampingmember containing the nuts and screw-rod and comprising a sheet metal member bent into hollow form disposed between the l lber provided .with

, and equipped with end-plugs affording bearings for the screw-rod, the edge-portions of said sheet-metal member being separated to l afford a longitudinal slot of the clamping-member, and bearings in the clamping-member crossing the slot and about which the flexible "bindingposts pass.

8. In a binder, a clampingmember comprising a sheet-metal strip bent into hollow form and provided at its inner side withl a longitudinal slot, end-caps for said hollow member, and bearings for flexible posts extending across said slot.

9. In a binder, a clamping-member 'cornprising a sheet-metal strip bent into hollow form, with" a longitudinal slot at the inner side thereof, end-plugs. for said hollow membearingsfor a screw-rod, and bridge-p1eces extending across said slot and adapted to afford bearings for flexible {pOSS 10. In a binder, a clamping-member comprising a sheet-metal strip bent into hollow form and having the metal at one edge curved and folded upon itself to afford a hinge-eye, said hollovi7 member having a longitudinal slot at its inner side, and end-caps for the hollow member provided with bearings for a screw-rod.

11. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping-members equipped with cover sections, flexible leaf-engaging binding-posts between the clamping-members and extending into the clamping-inembers,longitudinal threaded rods and nuts thereon within the clamping-members for actuating the flexible binding-posts and. a back having llexible portions disposed adjacent the inner sides of the cover-sections and provided with slots for the flexible binding-posts and withdrawable closing means for the ends of said slots.

l2. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping-members equipped with cover sections, flexible leaf-engaging binding-posts between the clamping-members and extending into the clampingmembers, means within the clamping-members for actuating the flexible binding-posts, a back having flexible portions disposed adjacent the inner sides of the cover-sections and provided with slots for the flexible binding-posts,y and detach able binding-clips' for the inturned edges of said-back. f

13. In a binder, a back having flexible portions provided near their upper and lower edges with slots, binding-clips through which said slots extend, and detachable binding-clips applied to said first-named binding-clips.

14. In a binder, a binding-post comprising a single series L)of close-connected relatively short links of circular cross-section having complemental offset pivot-portions formed by recessing shoulders adapted to engageeach other and at the inner sideA the links and having Y attachment practically continuous surface, having at its extremity means for to adjusting mechanism.

15. In a binder, a liexible binding-post comprising a single series of links of circular cross-section, each link having at oneJ side thus form a said chain by a practically continuous surface is afforded in the extended condition of the binding-post.

. may be sprung to admit 16. A fly-leaf for binders, comprising a sheet, a continuous thin resilient metal strip provided with perforations and narrow slots openingtherefrom at the rear. edge, whereby the metal the binding-post to the post-engaging perforation, and a Hexible inge-strip connecting said metal strip to said sheet.

17. A hollow clamping-member for a comprising a metal strip bent into hollow'form and having the metal curved at one edge of the hollow member to afford a hinge-eye the edges of the strip being fiore a longitudinal S101; at the in.

spaced to a nery side of the hollow member.

18. A hollow clamping-member for a binder, comprising a hollow form and having the metal curved at one edge of the hollow member to afford a hinge-eye, the edges of the strip being disposed at the inner side of the hollow member.`

19. In a binder, a chain-post comprising a single series of short links having offset pivot-ears and shoulders forming overlaps and providing a continuous surface.

20. In a binder, a chain-post comprising a single series of short links having pivotears and oiiset shoulders forming overlaps and providing a continuous surface, said shoulders being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of the links, for the purpose set forth.

21. In a binder, a chain-post comprising a single series of short links having pivot-ears and offset shoulders forming overlaps and providing a continuous surface, said chain having at its extremity means for attachment to adjustingmechanism WILLIAM GIFFORD JON ES. In the presence of*` 1 l NELLm B. DEARBORN, Ozrrnm C. Avisos.

metal strip bent into- 

